Systems, methods, and apparatuses for optimizing field of view

ABSTRACT

A method to maximize use of the field of view for an imaging system is provided herein. An imaging device can be part of the imaging system and include a detection unit and an alignment unit. The method includes capturing an initial image of an object and then calculating a rotational angle and zoom factor for the object in order to maximize the object&#39;s footprint within the field of view. Once the calculations are complete a computer can instruct the detection and alignment units to reconfigure their orientations relative to the object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/408,013 filed Oct. 13, 2016.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to optical systems, methods,and apparatuses for maximizing the size of an object within a field ofview. The systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein apply tomaximizing utilization of field of view by increasing the footprint ofany object within a field of view. In particular, the present disclosurerelates to systems, methods, and apparatuses for optimizing imagecapture by computing an optimized rotational geometry and zoom based ona first captured image in order to increase resolution and image qualityof the object of interest.

BACKGROUND

The fields of biological imaging and imaging in general have benefitedfrom improvements in digital camera technology as a whole. One suchimprovement has been an increase in the number of pixels detectors inmodern cameras which has led to higher resolution images and, therefore,higher quality data generation.

Gel electrophoresis is a common procedure for the separation ofbiological molecules, such as DNA, RNA, polypeptides and proteins. Ingel electrophoresis, molecules can be separated into bands according tothe rate at which an imposed electric field causes them to migratethrough a filtering gel. A gel enclosed in a glass tube or sandwiched asa slab between glass or plastic plates can be utilized. Gels have anopen molecular network structure, defining pores that are saturated withan electrically conductive buffered solution of a salt. These pores arelarge enough to enable passage of the migrating macromolecules throughthe gel.

One problem with electrophoresis gels is that they are not always thesame size or shape and they are often positioned in imaging devices withvarying positions and orientations. Also, the bands are often irregularor imperfectly formed. Bands can appear curved, crooked, or sometimesfaint. These problems are well known in the field and present analysischallenges.

Another problem with conventional gel imaging devices is that they failto utilize their light sensors efficiently by imaging large portions ofbackground which contains irrelevant information.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to create a system, method, andapparatus to image electrophoresis gels with varying attributes and toacquire the highest quality images possible to increase image resolutionand therefore data precision and accuracy. Such a system will maximizethe use of a detector's pixel sensors by increasing the footprint anobject, or electrophoresis gel, consumes in the detector's field ofview.

SUMMARY

Optical systems, methods and apparatuses are disclosed herein formaximizing field of view of an object with an image capturing device orsystem. In such systems, methods and apparatuses, an image of an objectin a first position is captured within a field of view. A rotationalangle to align an edge of the object with an edge of the field of viewis then calculated, and a zoom factor to position the edge of the objectalong the edge of the field of view is also calculated.

In certain embodiments, the optical systems for maximizing field of viewof an object with an image capturing device or system include a camerato capture the image of the object and a processor with instructions tocalculate the rotational angle and the zoom factor. Embodiments mayinclude a surface configured to rotate based on the calculatedrotational angle and for the zoom of the image capturing device orsystem to be adjusted based on the calculated zoom factor. The adjustedzoom can be achieved mechanically in certain embodiments.

In certain embodiments, the image capturing device or system isconfigured to image the object in a second position within the fieldview. In certain embodiments, the second position may be optimized forthe image of the object to be captured using a larger portion of thefield of the view than the first image and for the second image of theobject to be in an improved rotational alignment than the first image.

In certain embodiments, the optical system includes a display and aprocessor that is configured to create a virtual image to be presentedon the display based on the calculated rotational angle and/orcalculated zoom factor. The virtual image can be virtually rotatedand/or virtually zoomed by an end user in certain embodiments.

In certain embodiments, the methods for maximizing field of view of anobject with an image capturing device or system comprise capturing animage of an object in a first position within a field of view,calculating a rotational angle by virtually aligning an edge of theobject with an edge of the field of view, calculating a zoom factor toposition the edge of the object along the edge of the field of view,repositioning the object in a second position relative to the field ofview based on the calculations, and then imaging the object in thesecond position to create a second image. The object in the second imagemay cover a larger portion of the field of view than the object coveredin the first image.

In certain embodiments, the repositioning uses a moveable surface toreposition the object within the field of view. In certain embodiments,the repositioning uses a mechanical zoom to achieve the calculated zoomfactor. In certain embodiments, the methods additionally includecreating a virtual representation of a virtually zoomed and/or rotatedimage. The virtual images are configured to be manipulated by an enduser in certain embodiments.

In certain embodiments, the methods for maximizing field of view of anobject with an image capturing device or system comprise capturing animage of an object in a first position within a field of view,calculating a rotational angle by virtually aligning an edge of theobject with an edge of the field of view, rotating the object relativeto the field of view based on the calculated rotational angle, capturingan image of the object in a second position within the field of view,calculating a zoom factor to position the edge of the object along theedge of the field of view, increasing the size of the object within thefield of view based on the zoom factor, and capturing an image of theobject in a third position to create a third image. The second positionmay be optimized for the second image of the object to be captured in animproved rotational alignment than the first image in the firstposition. The third position may be optimized for the third image of theobject to be captured using a larger portion of the field of the viewthan the first image in the first position.

In certain embodiments, the methods include creating a virtual imagethat can be manipulated by an end user. The virtual image may beconfigured to be rotated and/or zoomed by the end user. Embodiments mayprovide for rotating the object based on rotating a surface holding theobject to achieve the calculated rotational angle. Embodiments may alsoprovide for mechanical zoom adjustment to achieve the calculated zoomfactor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the principles disclosed herein,and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an imaging system according to one of thevarious embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an imaging device according to one of thevarious embodiments.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a set of guides for coordinating thevarious elements of a detection unit in a long light path configurationaccording to one of the various embodiments.

FIG. 3B is an illustration of a set of guides for coordinating thevarious elements of a detection unit in a short light path configurationaccording to one of the various embodiments.

FIG. 3C is an illustration of the cross section view through the housingof an imaging device including a detection unit according to one of thevarious embodiments.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of an alignment unit according to one of thevarious embodiments.

FIG. 4B is an illustration of an alignment unit including a motor anddrive shaft according to one of the various embodiments.

FIG. 4C is an illustration of an alignment unit with the surface housingremoved according to one of the various embodiments.

FIG. 4D is an illustration of an alignment unit with a rotated surfaceaccording to one of the various embodiments.

FIG. 4E is an illustration of an alignment unit with a rotated surfaceaccording to one of the various embodiments.

FIG. 4F is a graphical representation of rotational alignment geometryof the alignment unit according to one of the various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a field of view for a camera with anoverlapping grid indicating the location of pixel sensors according toone of the various embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6B are flow diagrams of an image capture method according tothe prior art.

FIGS. 7A-B are flow diagrams of an image capture method according to oneof the various embodiments.

FIG. 8A is an illustration of an electrophoresis gel in a non-optimizedfield of view.

FIG. 8B is an illustration of an electrophoresis gel after anon-optimized field of view has been optimized for rotation according toone of the various embodiments.

FIG. 9A is an illustration of a graph depicting a zoom factorcalculation according to one of the various embodiments.

FIG. 9B is an illustration of an electrophoresis gel after anon-optimized field of view has been optimized for zoom according to oneof the various embodiments.

While the present teachings are described in conjunction with variousembodiments, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited tosuch embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompassvarious alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will beappreciated by those of skill in the art.

Furthermore, in describing various embodiments, the specification mayhave presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence ofsteps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not relyon the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or processshould not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. Asone of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences ofsteps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps setforth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on theclaims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or processshould not be limited to the performance of their steps in the orderwritten, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that thesequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope ofthe various embodiments.

In order that the present disclosure may be more readily understood,certain terms are first defined. Additional definitions are set forththroughout the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of systems, methods, and apparatuses for imaging systems aredescribed in the accompanying description and figures. In the figures,numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of certain embodiments. A skilled artisan will be able toappreciate that the imaging systems, methods, and apparatuses describedherein can be used in a variety of instruments using optical trainsincluding, but not limited to, electrophoresis gel imaging devices.Additionally, the skilled artisan will appreciate that certainembodiments may be practiced without these specific details.Furthermore, one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that thespecific sequences in which methods are presented and performed areillustrative and it is contemplated that the sequences can be varied andstill remain within the spirit and scope of certain embodiments.

While the present teachings are described in conjunction with variousembodiments, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited tosuch embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompassvarious alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will beappreciated by those of skill in the art.

Furthermore, in describing various embodiments, the specification mayhave presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence ofsteps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not relyon the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or processshould not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. Asone of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences ofsteps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps setforth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on theclaims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or processshould not be limited to the performance of their steps in the orderwritten, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that thesequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope ofthe various embodiments.

In order that the present disclosure may be more readily understood,certain terms are first defined. Additional definitions are set forththroughout the detailed description.

As used herein “about” means plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus orminus 10%, even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plusor minus 2%.

As used herein “field of view” means the area that is visible to acamera or detection device.

As used herein “pixel sensors” refers to anything that can convert lightinto a digitally encoded signal. Pixel sensors can refer to anintegrated circuit containing an array of pixel sensors with each pixelsensor containing a photodetector and an active amplifier.

As used herein “edge” means the outside limit of an object, area, orsurface.

As used herein “border” means the edge or boundary of something.

In various embodiments, the imaging system and method disclosed in thepresent application can be used in conjunction with various apparatuses,systems, and methods relating to electrophoresis gel imaging or imagingof any kind.

In gel imaging, instruments that are standard in the field generallyconsist of a housing, a platform to place a gel, an ultraviolet light toilluminate labels contained within the gel, and some kind of detectiondevice such as a camera. The user generally manually positions a gel onthe platform and then instructions a computer to activate the camera andcapture an image. Once the image is transferred to the computer, theuser can electronically manipulate the image using photo editingsoftware available on the market (e.g. Photoshop). However, the skilledartisan will appreciate the difficulty in manually capturing the highestquality image possible. One such way to increase image quality is toutilize as many pixel sensors within a detection device as possible,thereby, increasing the resolution of the image.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic of an imaging system 100 in the fieldof electrophoresis gel imaging is shown according to an embodiment. Theimaging device 101 may include a detection unit 112 configured to imageobjects in an alignment unit 114. In various embodiments, the alignmentunit 114 may be configured to move an object's relative position to thedetection unit 112. In various embodiments, the detection unit 112 maybe configured to move relative to the position of an object within thealignment unit 114. A housing 103 may be configured to house thedetection unit 112 and alignment unit 114. The housing 103 may beconfigured to house both the imaging device 101 and the computing device102 (not shown). An object in the alignment unit 114 may be imaged bythe detection unit 112 and that image can be transferred to a computingdevice 102 where image processing may occur. The computing device 102may act to control the various components of the imaging device 101 ormay interact with a separate controller to control the variouscomponents of the imaging device. In various embodiments, the hardwarecomponents are in electronic communication with the computing device 102either through a wireless adaptor or a physical connection (e.g. USB,ethernet, etc.).

In various embodiments, the computing device 102 may include a memory108, a processor 110, and a display 106 and may be configured to controlthe imaging device 101. The computing device 102 or controller may beany computer system known in the art, including a laptop computer, adesktop computer, and a workstation, and may in particular be any systemincluding a bus, processor 110 coupled with the bus for processinginformation, and a memory 108 (e.g., RAM, ROM) or other dynamic storagedevice for storing information and/or instructions to be executed by theprocessor. Additionally, the memory 108 may store executableinstructions to carry out any of the methods contained herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic of an imaging device 101 is shownaccording to an embodiment. The imaging device 101 may include a housing103 configured to house a controller board 202 in communication with oneor more other components, which may include one or more feedback systemsincluding guide feedback systems 204 and surface feedback systems 208,at least one power outlet 212, computing device communication ports 214,surface communication ports 216, guide communication ports 218,detection communication ports 228, at least one light source 220, andvarious sensors and detectors, including, a homing sensor 222, limitsensor 224, and limit detectors 226. In various embodiments, the severalcomponents may be in electronic communication as indicated by the lineconnectors as shown in FIG. 2. In various embodiments, the guidefeedback system 204 provides positional information from the guides 206to the controller board. In various embodiments, the surface feedbacksystem 208 provides positional information from the surface 210 to thecontroller board 202. The various feedback systems may be in electroniccommunication with the various sensors.

According to various embodiments described herein, any of the imagingdevices 101 may include a detection unit 112. FIGS. 3A-3C illustratevarious embodiments of a detection unit.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C the imaging device may include an alignmentunit 114 and a detection unit 112 which may both be mounted within ahousing 103 using techniques known in the art according to variousembodiments. The detection unit 112, according to various embodiments,may include at least one motor 302 configured to drive several opticalcomponents along various guides. In various embodiments, the componentsinclude at least one camera 304, at least one emission filter 340, atleast one optics 306, and at least one folding mirror 322. As depicted,the various components work to produce a light path 330 between thealignment unit and the camera 304. The camera 304 may send and receiveinstructions and data with the detection communication ports 228.

In various embodiments, a motor 302 may couple to a lead screw 312 witha coupler 366. The coupler 366 may serve to connect the lead screw 312to the motor 302. The lead screw may 312 interact with threads on thecamera block 364 or on a nut associated with the camera block 364 todrive movement of the camera block 364 along a detector guide 350. Asthe camera block 364 moves it may either push or pull a first powertransmission shaft 356, thereby, transferring power through atransmission block 360 along a transmission guide 352. The transmissionblock 360 may slide/mount, through known techniques in the art, to asecond power transmission shaft 358 and serve to transfer motion to amirror block 362 which may drive a folding mirror 322 along a mirrorguide 354. The motor may be controlled by the controller board 202through one or more guide communication ports 218. The controller board202 may receive positional information from one or more sensors used todetect the position of the various components along the various guides.The various sensors used to detect position can include infrared, reedswitch, hall effect, laser distances, encoders, and anything else knownor useful in the art. In various embodiments, a homing sensor 222 may beused to detect when the camera block 364 is in the “home” position or inthe location where the light path 330 is longest. In other embodiments,the home position can be anywhere along the various guides. In variousembodiments, a limit sensor 224 may detect when the camera block 364 ispositioned such that the light path 330 is shortest and without lightpath 330 obstruction by components contained within the housing. Invarious embodiments, the several sensors may be configured to determinethe position of the various blocks on the various guides 206 and sendpositional information to the controller board 202 through a guidefeedback system 204. Once the controller board 202 receives positionalinformation it can provide instructions to the motor 302 to actuatemovement of the various components in the detection unit 112. In variousembodiments, the guides and blocks are configured such that a light path330 will always be directed from the alignment unit 114 to the camera304. In various embodiments, the mirror guide 354, transmission guide352, and detector guides 350 may be mounted to the housing 103 through aplate coupler 368. The plate coupler 368 may include screws, plates,welds, pins, or any other attachment means known in the art to affix thevarious guides to the housing 103.

In various embodiments, the camera block 364 slides along the detectorguide 350 and interacts with the transmission shaft 356. In someembodiments, the interaction between the detector guide 350 and thetransmission shaft 356 is through a screw, pin, clip, or anything knownor useful in the art.

In various embodiments, the transmission block 360 can slide along thetransmission guide 352 and interact with the transmission shaft 356. Insome embodiments, the interaction between the transmission guide 352 andthe transmission shaft 356 is through a screw, pin, clip, or anythingknown or useful in the art.

In various embodiments, the mirror block can slide along both the secondpower transmission shaft 358 and the mirror guide 354 at the same time.

In various embodiments, the light path 330 passes from the alignmentunit 114 and to a folding mirror 322 that may be configured to bend thelight path 330, thereby, positioning the light path 330 to pass throughoptics 306, the emission filter 340, and into the camera 304. The cameramay include pixel sensors to convert a light signal to a digital signal.The digital information can be communicated to the controller board 202or computer device 102 through electronic means known in the art (e.g.Network cable, USB, ethernet, etc.). In various embodiments, theemission filter 340 may include multiple emission filters that can beselected based on their transmissive properties.

In various embodiments, the detection unit 112 may include anycommercially available camera 304 configured for optical and/or digitalzoom without a system for mechanical zoom requiring a folded light path330. In various embodiments, the camera can be configured to berepositioned in along x, y, z, axes or rotated or tilted to move inorder to reposition a field of view relative to an object.

According to various embodiments described herein, any of the imagingdevices 101 may include an alignment unit 114. FIGS. 4A-4F illustratevarious embodiments of an alignment unit.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4F an alignment unit 114 may include a surface 402configured to support an object, a surface housing 404 configured tohouse the surface 402, a platform 410 configured to support the surfacehousing 404, a transilluminator box 412 positioned between the platform410 and attached to a housing 103 through a connector 414 according anembodiment. In various embodiments, the surface is configured to changeposition using a motor 422 with a drive shaft 420 that is connected tothe surface housing 404 through a drive linkage 408. In variousembodiments, the drive linkage 408 connects to a surface housing 404using a drive pin 406 and the drive pin 406 may fit into a groove 460located on the platform. In various embodiments, the surface housing 404can be supported by one or more support pins 430 positioned on theplatform 410. In various embodiments, a boundary 440 on the platform 410may interact with one or more protrusions 490 from the surface housing404 to ensure that the surface moves along a known path. In variousembodiments, one or more limit detectors 450 may be positioned on theplatform to sense the position of the surface housing 404.

In various embodiments, the motor 422 engages a linkage 408 that isconfigured to interact with a surface housing 404 through a drive pin406. According to various embodiments, FIGS. 4D and 4E describe themechanics of rotation in an alignment unit 114. In FIG. 4D the motor 422has turned a driveshaft 420 clockwise, thereby, turning the drivelinkage 408 and drive pin 406 as well toward the clockwise direction. Invarious embodiments, a groove 460 in the surface housing 404 may serveas a track or guide for the drive pin 406. A curvature of the groove 460may be included allowing the surface housing 404 to rotate in theopposite direction as the drive linkage 408. FIG. 4E describes themechanics of surface 402 in the opposite direction. In variousembodiments, the groove 460 position or orientation may be configured todrive the surface housing 404 along whatever path of motion isdesirable.

In various embodiments, one or more limit detectors, shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4C, may be configured to detect the presence of a surface housing404 and communicate its position to a controller board 202 via a surfacefeedback system 208. The controller board 202 may send instructions tothe motor 422 to make position adjustments through a surfacecommunication port 216.

Referring to FIG. 4F a surface rotation geometry 462 is shown accordingto an embodiment. In various embodiments of an alignment unit 114, thesurface 402 may be rotated 12.5 degrees in either direction. In variousembodiments, left center circle.

In various embodiments, the alignment unit 114 may include any moveableplatform capable of supporting an electrophoresis gel. Such an alignmentunit 114 may move in the x, y, z, or rotational directions.

FIG. 5 illustrates a field of view 500 according to one embodiment.Every detection device or camera 304 has a field of view 500 and inmodern photography light coming into a field of view is picked up by anarray of pixel sensors 508. In FIG. 5, each pixel sensor 508 has beengiven a coordinate on an x and y axis 504, 506. In part, the resolutionof an object within a field of view is determined by the amount of spacethat object covers in the field of view 500. For this reason,photographers usually try to approach a subject or use optical zoomingin order to maximize the number of pixel sensors uses, thereby,increasing the resolution and quality of an image.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a prior art method of image capture, and morespecifically, a method of electrophoresis gel imaging. In step 602, anobject 610 is provided (e.g. electrophoresis gel). In step 604, therelative position of the object 610 and detector grid 502 stays fixed.In step 606, an image of the object 610 is captured. The problem withsuch a method is that many pixel sensors 508 remain unused because thefield of view 500 covers much more area than that covered by the objectwhich lowers the quality of the imaged object. A solution would be torotate the object's relative position such the edges of the object 610and detector grid 502 are aligned and then zoom in mechanically oroptically to maximize the number of pixel sensors detecting signalcoming from the object 610.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an optimized image capture method 700,according to an embodiment, which may be carried about by the imagingsystem 100 described herein. In step 702, an object 730 may be imaged ina first position within the field of view 500 to generate a first image.In step 704, a rotational angle may be calculated by virtually aligningthe edge of an object 730 with the edge of the field of view 500. Inoptional step 706, a rotatable virtual image may be displayed andmanipulated by an end user. In step 708, the object 730 may be rotatedrelative to the field of view 500 based on the calculated rotationalangle. In step 710, the object 730 may be imaged within the field ofview 500 in a second position to generate a second image. In step 712, azoom factor may be calculated to position the edge or border of theobject 730 along the edge or border of the field of view 500. Inoptional step 714, a zoomable virtual image may be displayed andmanipulated by an end user. In step 716, the object 730 may be movedrelative to the field of view based on the calculated zoom factor. Instep 718, the object 730 may be imaged in an optimized position togenerate a third image.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the method presented above 700 is showngraphically. According to one embodiment, the object 730 starts in arotated and unzoomed position which, in conventional imaging methods thefinal image, would be captured. According to an embodiment the object730 is rotated to become a rotated object 732 and later zoom isimplemented so that the object becomes a zoomed object 734. The object730 that has been rotated and zoomed relative to the field of view 500utilizes more pixel sensors 736 than in the prior art, thereby,producing higher quality images capable of producing higher qualitydata.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a photograph of an object 802 that was positionedwithin an alignment unit 114 (see FIG. 4) was captured within the fieldof view 500 of a detection unit 112 (See FIG. 3) before any automationhas occurred. The image 800 shown here may correspond to step 702 of themethod described in FIG. 7B. Such an image 800 may be stored on acomputing device 102 where the object edge 804 and the field of viewedge 806 can be determined and a rotational angle calculated.

Referring to FIG. 8B, a photograph of an object 802 is shown that wasrotated by an alignment unit 114 after a computing device 102 analyzedthe object edge 804 and field of view edge 806 and instructed thealignment unit 114 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9A, output of a defined informative function of object802 at different zoom factors is shown. An informative function can bedefined as the sum of high-frequency image signals contained in a fieldof view divided by the size of the field of view. The zoom factor canproduce the highest informative function output which can be selected asthe optimal zoom factor. It can define the smallest image region whichcontains most informative image signals.

Referring to FIG. 9B, a photograph of an object is shown after a zoomfactor calculation was completed by the computer device 102 on theobject depicted in FIG. 8A. A zoom factor may be calculated bydetermining where a field of view border 904 is located relative to anobject border 902. When any point of the object border 902 is calculatedto contact or be adjacent to the field of view border 904 an optimizedzoom factor has been determined.

While the present teachings are described in conjunction with variousembodiments, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited tosuch embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompassvarious alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will beappreciated by those of skill in the art.

Further, in describing various embodiments, the specification may havepresented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps.However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on theparticular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process shouldnot be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process should notbe limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, andone skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may bevaried and still remain within the spirit and scope of the variousembodiments.

1. A system for maximizing a field of view for an image capturingdevice, the system comprising: a surface configured to support anobject; a camera configured to capture an image of the object in a firstposition within a field of view; a processor including instructions tocalculate a rotational angle by virtually aligning an edge of the objectwith an edge of the field of view and calculating a zoom factor toposition the edge of the object along the edge of the field of view. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the surface is configured to rotate basedon the rotational angle and a zoom is adjusted based on the zoom factor.3. The system of claim 2, wherein the camera is configured to image theobject in a second position within the field of view.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the image from the second position is an optimizedimage and the optimized image is captured using a larger portion of thefield of view than the image of the object in the first position. 5.(canceled)
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a display,wherein the processor is configured to create a virtual image based onthe calculated rotational angle and present the virtual image on thedisplay.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the virtual image isconfigured to be virtually rotated by an end user.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the camera is configured to image the object in asecond position within the field of view.
 9. The system of claim 1further comprising a display, wherein the processor is configured tocreate a virtual image based on the calculated zoom factor and presentthe virtual image on the display.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein thevirtual image is configured to be virtually zoomed by an end user. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein the object is imaged in a secondposition within the field of view.
 12. A system for maximizing a fieldof view for an image capturing device, the system comprising: an imagingdevice comprising: a rotatable surface configured to hold an object; acamera configured to capture an image of the object in a first positionwithin a field of view; and a computing device comprising: a processorincluding instructions to calculate a rotational angle by virtuallyaligning an edge of the object with an edge of the field of view andinstructions to calculate a zoom factor to position the edge of theobject along the edge of the field of view.
 13. A method for maximizinga field of view for image capture, the method comprising: capturing animage of an object in a first position within a field of view;calculating a rotational angle by virtually aligning an edge of theobject with an edge of the field of view; calculating a zoom factor toposition the edge of the object along the edge of the field of view;repositioning the object into a second position relative to the field ofview based on the rotational angle and the zoom factor; and imaging theobject in the second position to create a second image.
 14. The methodof claim 13, wherein the object in the second image covers a largerportion of the field of view than in the first image.
 15. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising the step of creating a virtualrepresentation of a virtually zoomed and rotated image.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the virtually zoomed and rotated image isconfigured to be manipulated by an end user.
 17. The method of claim 13,wherein the object is an electrophoresis gel.
 18. The method of claim13, wherein the repositioning step uses a moveable surface or amechanical zoom.
 19. (canceled)
 20. A method for increasing a field ofview for capturing images, the method comprising: capturing an image ofan object in a first position within a field of view to generate a firstimage; calculating a rotational angle by virtually aligning an edge ofthe object with an edge of the field of view; rotating the objectrelative to the field of view based on the calculated rotational angle;capturing an image of the object in a second position within the fieldof view to generate a second image; providing machine executableinstructions from a memory to a processor to calculate a zoom factor toposition the edge of the object along the edge of the field of view;increasing the size of the object within the field of view based on thezoom factor; and capturing an image of the object in a third position togenerate a third image.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprisingthe step of creating a virtual image, wherein the virtual image can bemanipulated by an end user.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein thevirtual image is configured to rotate or wherein the virtual image isconfigured to zoom.
 23. (canceled)
 24. The method of claim 20, whereinthe object in the third image covers a larger portion of the field ofview than in the first image.
 25. The method of claim 20, whereinrotating the object comprises rotating a surface holding the object. 26.The method of claim 20, wherein increasing the size of the object withinthe field of view comprises adjusting a mechanical zoom to achieve thezoom factor.